Foldable beverage sleeve apparatus and method of using same

ABSTRACT

A foldable drink sleeve or holder for use in insulating and providing a barrier between a user and a variety of different means for containing a beverage, such as, for example, a can, a bottle, a cup, or any other similar device for containing a beverage. A foldable beverage sleeve apparatus generally comprising a folding mechanism for use in allowing a user to condense said apparatus into a substantially smaller and transportable device and an attachment mechanism for use in attachably connecting said apparatus to a variety of different items, such as, for example, a key chain, a backpack, a purse, a belt loop, or any other similar means of transporting and carrying said apparatus.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION

Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/975,474, filed Feb. 12, 2020, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed.

STATEMENTS AS TO THE RIGHTS TO THE INVENTION MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to a foldable drink sleeve or holder for use in insulating and providing a barrier between a user and a variety of different means for containing a beverage, such as, for example, a can, a bottle, a cup, or any other similar device for containing a beverage. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a foldable beverage sleeve apparatus generally comprising a folding mechanism and an attachment mechanism for use in allowing a user to attachably connect said apparatus to a variety of different items, such as, for example, a key chain, a backpack, a purse, a belt loop, or any other similar means of transporting and carrying said apparatus.

Brief Description of the Prior Art

A conventional beverage holder is typically used to insulate a chilled beverage from warming by warm air or sunlight and can reduce the rate in which a drink warms in the sun. Moreover, conventional beverage holders can also be used as a means for keeping the drinker's hands warm (and dry due to condensation from chilled beverages) while consuming a chilled beverage in the beverage holder.

Conventional beverage holders can also be used to easily identify one's beverage from another person's and/or for marketing purposes. By imprinting on the beverage holder, many different companies have used the beverage holder as a promotional giveaway item because it is not only inexpensive to manufacture, but its frequent use is more likely to bring the company's name to a household presence. Typically, a company's or business's logo or image is screen-printed on a round foam cylinder with a foam base, which generally has a hole at the base to ease inserting and removing beverage containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a foldable beverage sleeve apparatus generally comprising a substantially cylindrical member that can be used to encapsulate a beverage or a means for holding a beverage (such as, for example, a can, a bottle, a cup, etc.), thereby providing a barrier between a user and said beverage and thus insulating said beverage from said user. Additionally, said foldable beverage sleeve apparatus can be manufactured from a substantially thin, stretchable, moisture-wicking material, such as, for example, neoprene, or any other similar fabric or material exhibiting like characteristics, wherein said material creates versatility in said apparatus by allowing said apparatus to stretch over a variety of different sizes and shapes of beverages and beverage containers. As a result of said stretchable fabric and material, said foldable beverage sleeve apparatus is able to create a substantially tight, or “snug,” fit around a variety of different sizes of beverage containers within the market, while simultaneously allowing said user to enjoy his or her beverage without worrying about condensation forming on an outer surface of said beverage container.

In a preferred embodiment, said foldable beverage sleeve apparatus comprises a folding mechanism and an attachment mechanism, wherein said folding mechanism further comprises a pocket member, and said attachment mechanism further comprises a clip member. Said pocket member is located on an outer surface of said cylindrical member when said sleeve apparatus is in an open configuration and ready to receive a beverage container. When said sleeve apparatus is in an open configuration, said clip member is located and hidden within said pocket.

In a preferred embodiment, when said sleeve apparatus of the present invention is folded into a closed configuration, said folding mechanism allows said pocket member to transform into a substantially smaller pouch, thus allowing said beverage sleeve to be able to fold into itself, and thus, into said pocket member, thereby creating a substantially smaller pouch that is easily transportable. Said pouch comprises a folding lip that helps keep the sleeve apparatus folded into said pouch. Said folding mechanism of said beverage sleeve apparatus is able to be utilized by way of said thin, flexible material. Additionally, said clip member of said attachment mechanism is then transformed and located on an outer surface, thereby allowing said sleeve apparatus to attachably connect to a variety of different devices (such as, for example, a key chain, a belt loop, a backpack, a bag, or any other similar item).

In a preferred embodiment, when said foldable beverage sleeve apparatus is in a closed and folded configuration, said user can unfold said apparatus by flipping said lip in a relatively backwards direction, thereby hiding said clip, and thus unpacking said cylindrical housing member of said beverage sleeve apparatus into an open configuration. When said foldable beverage sleeve apparatus is in an open and unfolded configuration, said apparatus is able to receive a beverage container within said cylindrical member. After said user is finished with his or her beverage, the user is able to remove the beverage from the cylindrical member, and then fold said beverage sleeve apparatus into itself by inserting two thumbs into said pocket, flipping said pocket inside out, and then using his or her remaining fingers to assist in packing the remainder of the device into said pocket. Then, said user can flip over said lip, thus exposing said clip member and therefore being able to hook said apparatus onto a keychain, or other similar device, for transport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The foregoing summary, as well as any detailed description of the preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the drawings and figures contained herein. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings and figures show certain preferred embodiments. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific methods and devices disclosed in such drawings or figures.

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a preferred embodiment of a foldable beverage sleeve apparatus of the present invention in an open and unfolded configuration and while in use encapsulating a beverage.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of a preferred embodiment of a foldable beverage sleeve apparatus of the present invention in an open and unfolded configuration.

FIG. 3 depicts an alternate side view of a preferred embodiment of a foldable beverage sleeve apparatus of the present invention in an open and unfolded configuration.

FIG. 4 depicts an aerial view of a preferred embodiment of a foldable beverage sleeve apparatus of the present invention in an open and unfolded configuration.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a foldable beverage sleeve apparatus of the present invention in an open and unfolded configuration.

FIG. 6 depicts an aerial view of a preferred embodiment of a foldable beverage sleeve apparatus of the present invention in a closed and folded configuration.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a foldable beverage sleeve apparatus of the present invention in a closed and folded configuration.

FIG. 8 depicts a side view of a preferred embodiment of a foldable beverage sleeve apparatus of the present invention in an open and unfolded configuration.

FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a foldable beverage sleeve apparatus of the present invention in an open and unfolded configuration.

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a foldable beverage sleeve apparatus of the present invention in an open and unfolded configuration.

FIG. 11 depicts an alternate perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a foldable beverage sleeve apparatus of the present invention in an open and unfolded configuration.

FIG. 12 depicts an aerial view of a preferred embodiment of a foldable beverage sleeve apparatus of the present invention in a closed and folded configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a preferred embodiment of a foldable beverage sleeve apparatus 100 of the present invention in an open and unfolded configuration, while simultaneously in use and encapsulating a beverage. Said foldable beverage sleeve apparatus can be manufactured from a substantially thin, stretchable, and moisture-wicking material, such as, for example, neoprene, or any other similar fabric or material exhibiting like characteristics, wherein said material creates versatility in said apparatus by allowing said apparatus to stretch over a variety of different sizes and shapes of beverages and beverage containers. As a result of said stretchable fabric and material, said foldable beverage sleeve apparatus is able to create a substantially tight, or “snug,” fit around a variety of different sizes of beverage containers within the market (such as, for example, different size beverage cans or bottles), while simultaneously allowing said user to be able to enjoy his or her beverage without worrying about condensation forming on an outer surface of said beverage container.

Referring back to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts foldable beverage sleeve apparatus 100, while in an open and unfolded configuration and while encapsulating a beverage 1, generally comprising a substantially cylindrical-shaped housing member 10 having a top end 11, a base end 12, an outer surface 14, and an inner surface 15, wherein top end 11, base end 12, outer surface 14, and inner surface 15 cooperate to form an internal opening 13. FIG. 5 depicts a side view of foldable beverage sleeve apparatus 100, while in an open and unfolded configuration and without holding a beverage 1, generally comprising substantially cylindrical-shaped housing member 10 having top end 11, base end 12, outer surface 14, inner surface 15, and internal opening 13.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5, when said cylindrical housing member 10 is open, unfolded and prepared to receive and hold a beverage container 1, said internal opening, or cavity 13, is formed. As such, said internal opening 13 of said housing member 10 allows for beverage container 1 to be received through said top end 11 of said housing member 10, and thus be surrounded and encapsulated around inner surface 15 of said entire cylindrical housing member 10. Moreover, a base of said beverage container 1 is disposed on and contingent to said base end 12 of said housing member 10 when said beverage sleeve apparatus 100 has received and is surrounding said beverage container 1.

Said foldable beverage sleeve apparatus 100 of the present invention further comprises a folding mechanism and an attachment mechanism, wherein said folding mechanism further comprises a pocket member 20, and said attachment mechanism further comprises a clip member 30. Said pocket member 20 is located on an outer surface 14 of said cylindrical housing member 10 when said sleeve apparatus 100 is in an open and unfolded configuration, and thus, in a position to receive beverage container 1. Moreover, when said sleeve apparatus 100 is in an open and unfolded configuration, said clip member 30 is located within, and thus, hidden within said pocket member 20.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of a preferred embodiment of foldable beverage sleeve apparatus 100 of the present invention in an open and unfolded configuration. FIG. 3 depicts an alternate side view of a preferred embodiment of foldable beverage sleeve apparatus 100 of the present invention in an open and unfolded configuration. FIG. 4 depicts an aerial view of a preferred embodiment of foldable beverage sleeve apparatus 100 of the present invention in an open and unfolded configuration.

Beverage sleeve apparatus 100 of the present invention generally comprises cylindrical housing member 10, having top end 11, bottom end 12, outer surface 14, inner surface 15, and internal cavity 13. Top end 11, bottom end 12, outer surface 14, and inner surface 15 cooperate to form internal cavity 13, wherein internal cavity 13 is oriented in a manner to receive and hold beverage container 1. As a result of said substantially thin, stretchable, and moisture-wicking material, said foldable beverage sleeve apparatus 100 is able to create a substantially tight, or “snug,” fit around a variety of different sizes of beverage containers.

As depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3, beverage sleeve apparatus 100 of the present invention comprises pocket member 20. Pocket member 20 is disposed on outer surface 14 of cylindrical housing member 10, wherein pocket member 20 comprises a top end 21, a bottom end 22, an internal opening 23, and an outer surface 24. Bottom end 22 of pocket member 20 is adjacent to bottom end 12 of housing member 10, and thus, is attachably connected and stitched to bottom end 12 of housing member 10. Top end 21 of pocket member 20 is disposed along a relative mid-point of cylindrical housing member 10. Moreover, top end 21 is able to be opened and closed, and thus, is connected and disposed in order to allow access into internal opening 23 of pocket member 20. Although not depicted in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, when beverage sleeve apparatus 100 is in an open and unfolded configuration, clip member 30 is located within internal opening 23 of pocket member 20, and thus, is not visible while said beverage sleeve apparatus 100 is in use and is holding beverage container 1.

FIG. 6 depicts an aerial view of a preferred embodiment of foldable beverage sleeve apparatus 100 of the present invention in a closed and folded configuration, and FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of foldable beverage sleeve apparatus 100 of the present invention in a closed and folded configuration.

As depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, when said beverage sleeve apparatus 100 of the present invention is folded into a closed configuration, said folding mechanism allows said pocket member 20 to flip inside out and transform into a substantially smaller pouch 40, thus allowing said housing member 10 of said beverage sleeve 100 to be able to fold and condense within itself and into said pocket member 20. As a result, said pocket member 20 transforms into pouch 40, wherein pouch 40 holds and houses housing member 10, thereby creating a substantially smaller and easily transportable device. Said pouch 40 comprises a folding lip 45 that covers an opening of pouch 40 and thus helps keep housing member 10 of sleeve apparatus 100 folded and contained within said pouch 40. Said folding mechanism of said beverage sleeve apparatus 100 is able to be utilized by way of said thin, flexible material of said apparatus 100.

Additionally, when said folding mechanism is utilized and said pocket member 20 flips inside out in order to encompass and hold said housing member 10, said clip member 30 of said attachment mechanism is then revealed and located on an outer surface 41 of said pouch member 40, thereby allowing said sleeve apparatus 100 to attachably connect to a variety of different devices (such as, for example, a key chain, a belt loop, a backpack, a bag, or any other similar item) for transport.

In a preferred embodiment, when said foldable beverage sleeve apparatus is in a closed and folded configuration, said user can unfold said apparatus by flipping said lip 45 in a relatively backwards direction, thereby hiding said clip member 30, and thus opening and unpacking said housing member 10 of beverage sleeve apparatus 100 into an open and unfolded configuration. When said foldable beverage sleeve apparatus 100 is in an open and unfolded configuration, said apparatus 100 is able to receive beverage container 1 within internal cavity 13 of said cylindrical housing member 10.

After said user is finished with his or her beverage, the user is able to remove the beverage 1 from internal cavity 13 of cylindrical housing member 10, and then utilize said folding mechanism in order to fold said beverage sleeve apparatus 100 into itself by way of inserting two thumbs into said pocket member 20, flipping pocket member 20 inside out, and then using his or her remaining fingers to assist in packing the remainder of the housing member 10 into said pocket member 20. Then, said user can flip over said lip 45, thus exposing said clip member 30, and therefore, being able to hook said clip member 30 and said apparatus 100 onto a keychain, a bag, or any other similar device, for transport. Clip member 30 is attachably connected to lip 45 by way of connection loop 35.

FIG. 8 depicts a side view of a preferred embodiment of a foldable beverage sleeve apparatus 100 of the present invention in an open and unfolded configuration, and FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a foldable beverage sleeve apparatus 100 of the present invention in an open and unfolded configuration. FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a foldable beverage sleeve apparatus 100 of the present invention in an open and unfolded configuration, and FIG. 11 depicts an alternate perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a foldable beverage sleeve apparatus 100 of the present invention in an open and unfolded configuration. FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11 all depict foldable beverage sleeve apparatus 100 in an open and unfolded configuration, however, also without holding a beverage container 1.

Beverage sleeve apparatus 100 of the present invention generally comprises cylindrical housing member 10, having top end 11, bottom end 12, outer surface 14, inner surface 15, and internal cavity 13. Top end 11, bottom end 12, outer surface 14, and inner surface 15 cooperate to form internal cavity 13, wherein internal cavity 13 is oriented in a manner to be able to receive and hold beverage container 1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11, beverage sleeve apparatus 100 of the present invention further comprises pocket member 20. Pocket member 20 is disposed on outer surface 14 of cylindrical housing member 10, wherein pocket member 20 comprises a top end 21, a bottom end 22, an internal opening 23, and an outer surface 24. Bottom end 22 of pocket member 20 is adjacent to bottom end 12 of housing member 10, and thus, is attachably connected and stitched to bottom end 12 of housing member 10. Top end 21 of pocket member 20 is disposed along a relative mid-point of cylindrical housing member 10. Moreover, top end 21 is able to be opened and closed, and thus, is connected and disposed in order to allow access into internal opening 23 of pocket member 20.

FIG. 12 depicts an aerial view of a preferred embodiment of foldable beverage sleeve apparatus 100 of the present invention in a closed and folded configuration. When said beverage sleeve apparatus 100 of the present invention is folded into a closed configuration, said folding mechanism allows said pocket member 20 to flip inside out and transform into a substantially smaller pouch 40, thus allowing said housing member 10 of said beverage sleeve 100 to be able to fold and condense within itself and into said pocket member 20. As a result, said pocket member 20 flips inside out and transforms into pouch 40, wherein pouch 40 holds and houses housing member 10, thereby creating a substantially smaller and easily transportable device.

Said pouch 40 comprises folding lip 45 that covers an opening of pouch 40 and thus helps keep and maintain housing member 10 of sleeve apparatus 100 folded and contained within said pouch 40. Said folding mechanism of said beverage sleeve apparatus 100 is able to be utilized by way of said thin, flexible material of said apparatus 100, thereby allowing beverage sleeve apparatus 100 to be bendable and transformable.

Additionally, when said folding mechanism is utilized and said pocket member 20 flips inside out in order to encompass and hold said housing member 10, said clip member 30 of said attachment mechanism is then revealed and located on an outer surface 41 of said pouch member 40. Clip member 30 is secured to lip member 45 by way of connection loop 35, wherein said connection loop 35 is attachably connected, by way of being sewn or any other similar connection means, to outer surface 41 of lip member 45. As a result, clip member 30 allows said sleeve apparatus 100 to attachably connect to a variety of different devices (such as, for example, a key chain, a belt loop, a backpack, a bag, or any other similar item) for transportability purposes.

In a preferred embodiment, when said foldable beverage sleeve apparatus 100 is in a closed and folded configuration, said user can unfold said apparatus 100 by flipping said lip 45 in a relatively backwards direction, thereby hiding said clip member 30, and thus unpacking said housing member 10 of beverage sleeve apparatus 100 into an open and unfolded configuration. When said foldable beverage sleeve apparatus 100 is in an open and unfolded configuration, said apparatus 100 is able to receive and hold beverage container 1 within said internal cavity 13 of cylindrical housing member 10.

After said user is finished with his or her beverage 1, the user is able to remove the beverage 1 from internal cavity 13 of cylindrical housing member 10, and then utilize said folding mechanism in order to fold said beverage sleeve apparatus 100 into itself by way of inserting two thumbs into said pocket member 20, flipping pocket member 20 inside out, and then using his or her remaining fingers to assist in packing the remainder of the housing member 10 into said pocket 20. Then, said user is able to flip over said lip 45 to secure and contain housing member 10 within pouch 40, thus exposing said connection loop 35 and said clip member 30, and therefore, being able to hook said clip member 30, and thus said apparatus 100, onto a keychain, a bag, or any other similar device, for transport.

The above-described invention has a number of particular features that should preferably be employed in combination, although each is useful separately without departure from the scope of the invention. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described herein, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than herein specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in form and arrangement of parts and the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made within the underlying idea or principles of the invention. 

What is claimed:
 1. A foldable beverage sleeve apparatus for use in holding and transporting a beverage comprising: a) a housing member having a top end, a bottom end, an outer surface, and an inner surface, wherein said top end, said bottom end, said outer surface, and said inner surface cooperate to form an internal opening of said housing member; b) a folding mechanism comprising a pocket member, wherein said pocket member is disposed on said outer surface of said housing member when said beverage sleeve apparatus is in an open and unfolded configuration; and c) an attachment mechanism comprising a clip member.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said clip member is disposed within an inner opening of said pocket member when said beverage sleeve apparatus is in an open and unfolded configuration.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a pouch member, wherein said pouch member is formed when said beverage sleeve apparatus is in a folded and closed configuration, thereby condensing and containing said housing member.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said clip member is disposed on an outer surface of said pouch member when said beverage sleeve apparatus is in a folded and closed configuration.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a beverage is received within said internal opening of said housing member when said beverage sleeve apparatus is in an open and unfolded configuration.
 6. A method for folding and transporting a beverage sleeve apparatus comprising: a) removing a beverage from said beverage sleeve apparatus, wherein said beverage sleeve apparatus comprises: i) a housing member having a top end, a bottom end, an outer surface, and an inner surface, wherein said top end, said bottom end, said outer surface, and said inner surface cooperate to form an internal opening of said housing member; ii) a folding mechanism comprising a pocket member, wherein said pocket member is disposed on said outer surface of said housing member when said beverage sleeve apparatus is in an open and unfolded configuration; iii) an attachment mechanism comprising a clip member; b) placing two thumbs within an inner opening of said pocket member; c) flipping said pocket member in an inside-out configuration, while simultaneously using a plurality of remaining fingers to fold said housing member within said pocket member, thereby forming a substantially smaller pouch member; d) exposing said clip member, wherein said clip member is disposed on an outer surface of said pouch member; and e) attachably connecting said clip member to a personal device for transport.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein said clip member is disposed within an inner opening of said pocket member when said beverage sleeve apparatus is in an open and unfolded configuration.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising a pouch member, wherein said pouch member is formed when said beverage sleeve apparatus is in a folded and closed configuration, thereby condensing and containing said housing member.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said clip member is disposed on an outer surface of said pouch member when said beverage sleeve apparatus is in a folded and closed configuration.
 10. The method of claim 6, wherein a beverage is received within said internal opening of said housing member when said beverage sleeve apparatus is in an open and unfolded configuration. 